Sheffield United have started well on their return to the big time, gaining four points from their opening two Premier League games.

The Blades have been to League One and back since they were last in the Premier League in 2007, spending six seasons in the third tier before gaining promotion to the Championship in 2017 under Chris Wilder's stewardship.

Wilder, a Blades fan and former player, has ushered in a new style of play at Bramall Lane, which bore plentiful fruit as his side edged out Yorkshire rivals Leeds United to finish second in the Championship last term.

Over the course of last season, Wilder adopted a 3-5-2 system, encouraging his team to play out from the back and get forward in numbers.

A key feature of United's play their overlapping centre-backs and, using Opta data, we have assessed just how the Blades' system works.

Three at the back... with a twist

Wilder's switch to a back three propelled United up the Championship and it is a fascinating, inspired approach.

The Blades' centre-backs are commonly Jack O'Connell, John Egan and Chris Basham, while Phil Jagielka rejoined the club in the off-season and provides an experienced head from the bench if required.

United's defenders are all comfortable with the ball at their feet and, while in possession, the two wider centre-backs – typically O'Connell and Basham – are given license to push on.

That allows the wing-backs to drive further forward, forcing opposing full-backs and wingers to defend, while rival midfielders must also draw wide to cover the advancing centre-backs.

Space is subsequently opened up in the middle of the park, with Oliver Norwood often dropping deep to dictate the play.

John Lundstram – whose goal earned a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday – and John Fleck press high to join the strikers, providing United with six attacking options within their opponents' half.

High risk, high reward

The decision to commit so many players forward does, of course, leave United open on the counter-attack.

However, Wilder's side play with pace and aggression once over the halfway line, a fact reflected by their attempted 12,579 passes in the opposition half over the course of the 2018-19 Championship campaign – the most of any team in the second tier.

Of those attempted passes, 8,720 were successful, while United's players had 1,251 touches in the opposition box, a tally which ranked behind only Leeds and champions Norwich City.

Though United's wing-backs do push further up the field, Wilder's men are not overly reliant on crosses into the area, with their total of 720 coming in as the sixth highest in the Championship last term.

Once United do have the ball in the area, last season's top scorer Billy Sharp is often the player to wrap up the move, though club-record signing Ollie McBurnie may be expected to fill that role this season.

Basham had 78 touches in the opposition box last season, ranking at 11th in the Championship, while the centre-back also created 29 chances. Only Enda Stevens provided more goalscoring opportunities for United.

Defensive solidity

Wilder's system may allow United's attacking players to thrive, but it also enables the Blades to remain steady in defence.

Though the centre-backs may get caught out by a pass in behind, the three defenders do remain in their shape while in possession, screening the width of the pitch.

While defending, the wing-backs tuck inside, with Norwood and the two more advanced midfielders dropping back to provide a barrier in front of the back three.

United's lack of pace up top could prove an issue if the Blades are pushed deep into their third, though the arrival of Callum Robinson from Preston North End does mean an out ball is available, while McBurnie or David McGoldrick are capable of holding up the play.

Against stronger teams, Wilder's system may well be found out, but so far United's commitment to their style of play is working out just fine.

Sheffield United have completed the signing of striker Oli McBurnie from Swansea City in a club-record deal believed to be worth £20million.

McBurnie starred for Swansea in the Championship last term, scoring 22 goals in the second tier.

The 23-year-old, who previously made 16 top-flight appearances while at Swansea without scoring, has now become United's eighth signing of the close season, signing a four-year contract as the Blades continue to strengthen ahead of their first season in the Premier League since 2006-07.

Blades boss Chris Wilder was delighted to have secured one of the club's long-term targets.

"We've had to be patient and work very hard to get Oli to Bramall Lane but I am confident he will be a tremendous success," Wilder told United's official website.

"We need options at the top of the pitch and Oli, as anyone who has watched a significant amount of Championship football will tell you, offers plenty in that area.

"He fits the profile of our transfer policy this season and is an age where his better years are ahead of him - hopefully he and the club can continue to grow together.

"I'm delighted with the transfer business over the summer, Oli is a big piece of the jigsaw, and the squad is shaping up ready for what will be a long and demanding season."

United round off their pre-season preparations away at Reims on Saturday, before kicking off their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on August 10.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has signed a new three-year deal ahead of his side's Premier League return.

The Blades have earned two promotions in three seasons since Wilder took charge in May 2016.

After guiding United out of League One with 100 points in his first campaign at Bramall Lane, the 51-year-old ended the Yorkshire club's 12-year exile from the top flight by finishing second to Norwich City in the Championship last season.

"Chris signing a new contract underpins everything we are attempting to do at Bramall Lane," chief executive officer Stephen Bettis told United's official website.

"He's been the catalyst for our success over the past few years, he is a driven individual and his focus since promotion was secured has been preparing the club for the Premier League."

Wilder is in the process of strengthening his squad ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 10.

Luke Freeman has arrived from QPR in a club-record deal and experienced defender Phil Jagielka is back at the club following his release by Everton.

Chris Wilder quit a job in the construction industry to lay the foundations for a successful career in management with concerns over what daily sausage sandwiches would do to his waistline.

Eighteen years later he has built something special at Sheffield United, cementing his status as a Blades legend by guiding his boyhood club into the Premier League.

Wilder has masterminded two promotions in three years since taking charge at Bramall Lane, on the back of winning the League Two title with Northampton Town.

The wily Sheffield native took a path less trodden to earn his place among the elite.

He was appointed by Alfreton Town in the Northern Counties East Premier Division at the age of 34, after getting a taste for management at Sunday League side Bradway in the twilight of his playing days

Wilder won a quadruple in his first season at the helm and was installed as Halifax Town boss after only 27 weeks at the Derbyshire club.

After learning his trade in non-league football, the 51-year-old worked his way up with Oxford United and Northampton before being charged with the task of getting the Blades out of League One.

Wilder may not have been enjoying the fruits of his labour had Alfreton chairman Wayne Bradley not taken a chance on the full-back in 2001.

"This [Alfreton] was a part-time outfit in every sense of the word and he made himself full-time," Bradley told Omnisport.

"Chris was in the transition at the end of a playing career to what happens next and he got himself a job in a building firm.

"I remember him turning to me and saying, 'Nothing against anyone that I work with, nothing against anyone who does this, but I can't have a sausage cob break every morning - my waistline won't cope with it and I just can't get my head around the fact this is the way of life I'm going to go on to have.

"'Weekdays I'm going to throw myself into this role, at no extra cost to you, and I'll get involved in anything and everything you'll let me do, beyond simply shaping a team'.

"There were other roles given to Chris, one being going along to the kit manufacturer and talking to them about what he wanted."

Having downed tools in his previous industry, Wilder was still prepared to get his hands dirty at Alfreton.

Bradley added: "I remember we had a manager's office, come store room, come whatever else you can fit in it. On one particular day he came armed with brush, shovel and the rest of it and cleaned that office out.

"Within a few days he had shaped that into a professional environment where he could invite prospective players. Chris did that all by himself and started to invite people to have a coffee with him at the end of the day. Not just potential new players, he would invite anybody and everybody - be it somebody operating the turnstiles or whoever.

"He made himself very popular very quickly. Professionalism may be daunting for some, but the manner of his professionalism and making himself available to anyone... quite frankly, he would probably have been voted in as chairman if there was a public vote!

"He also helped the groundsman, because he wanted a better playing surface. While he had no qualifications to make grass grow better than the next guy, he wanted to learn how that happened. He wanted to work with the volunteers who would have made sure the changing rooms were painted and in tip-top condition.

"He got involved in anything and everything that he felt could influence success and I believe he's still doing that."

Wilder may no longer be partaking in sausage cobs, but he has certainly brought home the bacon with a huge appetite for success.

Sheffield United claimed another big win in their bid for promotion from the Championship as they beat Hull City 3-0 to pile the pressure on Leeds United.

With Leeds facing Brentford in Monday's late fixture, the second-placed Blades moved three points clear of Marcelo Bielsa's side with a dominant display at KCOM Stadium.

Above them, Norwich City were held to a fourth successive draw, and with two games remaining, their lead has been reduced to just three points.

Play-off candidates Middlesbrough and Bristol City succumbed to defeats at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday respectively, and Derby County took the chance to move into the top six thanks to a Harry Wilson late show against QPR.

In the early game, Aston Villa beat Millwall to claim their 10th successive win, while at the other end of the table Wigan Athletic secured safety with a 2-0 victory over Preston North End.

BLADES SHARP AS THE RUN-IN HOTS UP

Having seen off Forest on Friday, Sheffield United took full advantage of playing before Leeds by dismantling Hull in a Yorkshire derby.

Chris Wilder's side took the lead 10 minutes in – David McGoldrick heading home unmarked from John Fleck's corner – and the Blades never looked back.

McGoldrick doubled his tally 12 minutes later, curling in an excellent finish from 25 yards out, with Enda Stevens capitalising on more slack Hull defending to effectively wrap up the points before half-time.

While securing automatic promotion will be the priority, United are just three points behind Norwich with two games – against Ipswich Town and Stoke City – still to come.

CANARIES' CELEBRATIONS STILL ON HOLD

A matter of weeks ago, it looked as though Norwich's charge to the title, and the Premier League, was a mere formality.

Now, however, after yet another draw, things look a bit more complicated for Daniel Farke's side. Depending on Leeds' result against Brentford, there could suddenly be a three-way tussle for not just promotion, but the title.

Norwich dominated proceedings for much of Monday's encounter at Stoke, with Onel Hernandez beating Jack Butland in the 24th minute.

But the hosts fought back through Ashley Williams' header, and though Teemu Pukki restored Norwich's lead, Thomas Edwards drew Stoke level once more to secure a share of the spoils, and delay the Canaries' promotion celebrations.

CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY HELPS DERBY

Derby moved into the final play-off spot thanks to a dramatic 2-0 triumph over QPR, though Frank Lampard's side relied on a contentious penalty to break the deadlock.

With 94 minutes played, referee David Webb harshly deemed that Luke Freeman had fouled Jayden Bogle, and Liverpool loanee Wilson made no mistake with a composed finish.

QPR rallied, with Pawel Wszolek seeing an effort hooked off the line, but the result was settled when Derby raced clear – Wilson tucking in his second in the 101st minute.

Derby's move into the play-off spots comes at the expense of Middlesbrough, who lost 3-0 at Forest, while Barry Bannan's stunner set Sheffield Wednesday up for a 2-0 win over Bristol, who drop to eighth.

VILLA MARCH ON, WIGAN SAFE

Villa seem to be hitting top form at just the right time, as they all but guaranteed a play-off place with a 1-0 win over Millwall – Jonathan Kodjia on target for Dean Smith's side.

Millwall's defeat handed Wigan a boost ahead of their clash with Preston, who had Ryan Ledson sent off as the Latics secured the points with goals from Leon Clarke and Lee Evans.

In the process, Wigan moved onto 48 points, enough to make sure of their Championship status for another season after Rotherham United lost at home to Birmingham City.

Sheffield United's Chris Wilder beat Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa to being named Championship Manager of the Year in the 2019 EFL Awards, while only two players from the Elland Road club made it into the Team of the Season.

Bielsa joined Leeds to much fanfare at the start of the season and has overseen a remarkable upturn in the club's on-field fortunes, turning a team that finished 13th last term into one challenging for promotion.

Daniel Farke, in charge of pacesetters Norwich City, has done a similarly impressive job in his second season at the helm after they ended last season a place below Leeds.

But it is Wilder who has been recognised for his achievements, with the Blades – who earned promotion from League One last term – just behind Norwich heading into the final stages of the campaign.

Bielsa's snub could potentially be explained by the so-called 'spygate' scandal, when it became apparent the Argentinian coach had sent people to surreptitiously watch training sessions of every other club in the division, earning Leeds a £200,000 fine.

Some may feel Leeds were underrepresented in the Team of the Season, with only Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips in the side.

Norwich have more players in the XI than any other team, with Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons and Teemu Pukki selected.

Finland international Pukki, who has scored 24 league goals in his first season in England, is also among the three Championship Player of the Season candidates, alongside Billy Sharp and Che Adams of the Blades and Birmingham City respectively.

Chris Wilder's Blades, who leapfrog Leeds to go second behind leaders Norwich City, had to absorb waves of pressure during the opening half an hour, with Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison and Tyler Roberts all wasting good opportunities.

Leeds appeared to flag as the first-half reached its conclusion, with David McGoldrick heading over before Basham rounded goalkeeper Kiko Casilla but was unable to capitalise.

Roberts cracked a shot against the post from Mateusz Klich's cutback before Leeds fell behind in the 71st minute.

Liam Cooper allowed himself to be clumsily dispossessed by Billy Sharp, who coolly picked out Basham for an unerring finish – Sheffield United's only shot on target over the course of 90 minutes.

Leeds centre-back Pontus Jansson began an incredibly eventful end to the match by sustaining a knee injury that seemed to render him virtually immobile.

However, Marcelo Bielsa had used all his substitutes and instructed the Swedish defender to hobble up-front, and he came agonisingly close to an 85th-minute equaliser.

Another Cooper error then saw Casilla charge out of his area to bring down Sharp and earn a stoppage-time red card, leaving Jansson to finish the match as an emergency goalkeeper after talking the diminutive Pablo Hernandez out of the role.

Leeds are a point behind Sheffield United with eight games remaining, while Norwich can pull four points clear at the summit by beating relegation-threatened Rotherham United.

Sheffield United were unable to climb back into the automatic promotion places in the Championship as they played out a second goalless derby draw with Sheffield Wednesday this season.

Wednesday, who have been revitalised under new boss Steve Bruce, passed up the best chance of a cagey affair at Hillsborough when Sam Hutchinson was unable to finish midway through the second half.

Kieren Westwood made an early save to deny United's former Wednesday striker Gary Madine from Oliver Norwood's cross.

It proved to be a first half short on clear chances and Madine was frustrated to have penalty claims rejected after tangling with Michael Hector.

Wednesday created their clearest opening in the 65th minute, with Rolando Aarons' magnificent cross catching out the United backline, only for Hutchinson to prod his close-range effort straight at Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

United pushed their hosts back and looked the most likely winners during the final quarter of an hour, but Wednesday held firm and Chris Wilder's team stay third – two points behind second-placed Leeds United and four shy of leaders Norwich City with 11 games remaining.